submitted by Herman L. Weiland

Obituary of Olive Eudora Leonhardt

From the Kingfisher Free Press, January 10,1907.
Obituary of O. E. Leonhardt.

Between the dates of September 22, 1864, and December 22, 1906, the world beheld the earthly life of Olive Eudora Leonhardt, the loving wife of Henry L. Leonhardt; age 42 years, 3 months, these two were united in the holy bonds of matrimony June 4th, 1891, at Manhattan, Kan., her parents were W. M. and S. M. Rudy. The place of her birth was Springfield, Illinois. She found the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal Savior early in life. She was converted in her early childhood at Manhattan, Kansas, her conversion was plain, and positive and a favorite theme of conversation.

Her life has been marked by conscientious Christian devotion, it was a noble life, the motto of which was the great Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do to unto you," The gold of her life revealed itself in her affliction. She realized the last few weeks of her sickness that physicially she was suffering defeat from a spiritual standpoint. She was more than conqueror through the power of a personal Christ who had sustained her from the days of her youth.

We know that all things work together for good. What I do thou knowest not, but thou shalt know hereafter, the Lord's will be done, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

Her last few weeks of life on earth were filled with intense suffering, and yet she endured it all with christian parience. She leaves behind her blessed heritage of a well spent life, and the precious memory of a good name. Her life has not been lived in vain.

We shall always remember the dark and sad midnight hour, of December 22, when the spirit of this loving wife and mother, was ushered into the brightness of a never ending day.

She leaves to mourn her untimely departure a kind and devoted husband; four daughters, and one son, father and mother, and four sisters. Her mother, and two sisters were here in her last weeks to care for her, and minister to her few wants. Besides her relatives, she leaves to mourn her loss, unnumbered hosts of friends. But our loss is her eternal gain, to live in Christ, to die is gain. Though he leadeth me through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

Cause of death was cancer after four years of suffering.

Obituary of Henry Lewis Leonhardt

From the Kingfisher Weekly Free Press, August 21, 1952
Obituary of Henry Lewis Leonhardt

H. L. Leonhardt, son of Gen. Charles F. W. and Esther Lewis Leonhardt, was born Dec. 25, 1863, at Muscatine, Iowa. He died Aug. 17, 1952, at the age of 88.

He was the eldest son of a family of seven. When eight years of age he moved with his parents to Riley county, Kans., and from there to Louisville and then to Paola, Kans. He attended public schools in that state.

As a young man, he worked at stone masonry in Manhatten, Kans. It was there that he met and married Olive Martindale in 1884. Two years later tragedy struck when he lost both his wife and infant daughter by death.

He continued to work in Manhatten for a few years and then on June 4, 1891, he married Olive Eudora Rudy. To this union five children were born. Two of them, Mrs. Joy Baker and Mrs. Jeannette Tennis, preceded him in death.

In the fall of 1892 he came by covered wagon to the newly opened territory of Oklahoma and settled on a farm, which he purchased as a relinquishment, southwest of Kingfisher. A short time later, he was joined by his wife and daughter, Joy, who came by train from Kansas.

In addition to farming in the early days of his life in Oklahoma he also did stone masonry work in Kingfisher and El Reno. One of his first jobs here was on the Conley building; he also worked on the telephone and postoffice buildings.

It wasn't long before he and his neighbors saw the need of a church in this pioneer community and they organized in 1893 what is still known as Park Congregational church. When the present building was erected, Leonhardt did all of the mason work and plastering. In 1941 he was elected honorary trustee, after having actively served in that capacity for 47 years. He was the last of the original 15 charter members of this church.

In 1906, his wife died.

After being father and mother to his children for several years he married Jennie Johnston. She died in 1916.

In 1921 he was married to Emma Hobson of Kingfisher, who was his helpmate until her death in July 1944. Since 1946 he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Charles Trindle.

Leonhardt was active in community affairs, having served on the school board and the precinct election board for a number of years. He was an active participant in church services as long as his health permitted.

Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Trindle, and Mrs. Fred Weiland of Dumas, Texas, a son, Paul of Kingfisher, brother Fred of Reseda, Calif., two sisters, Mrs. Mary Rehfield of Edmond and Mrs. Fannie Persinger of Oklahoma City, 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grand children, and other relatives.

Funeral was Wednesday morning at the Methodist-Congregational church in Kingfisher, with Rev. Esra Vornholt and Rev. R. A. Anderson officiating. Burial was in Kingfisher cemetery, with Smith funeral home in charge.



Obituary of Joy (Leonhardt) Baker

From the Kingfisher Weekly Free Press, April 11, 1938
Obituary of Mrs. Herman Baker

Joy Ruth Leonhardt was born August 15, 1892, at Manhatten, Kans., and passed away after a brief illness at Enid on April 8, 1938, at the age of 45 years, 7 months and 24 days.

Her parents came to the newly opened territory of Oklahoma when she was but an infant and bought a relinquishment in the Park community. She resided in that community all her life.

She was married June 4, 1913, to Herman Baker. To this union four children were born, Mrs. Olive Hart of Enid, Charles, Helen and Marvin of Kingfisher, all of whom survive.

Mrs. Baker's parents were charter members of the Park Congregational church and she was always in its services as a child. She united with that church in 1908 and held her membership there until her death. She was very active in all its work, being president of the Missionary society, and always busy with helping with the Women's Helpers' Union. She also served as pianist and sang in the choir. She taught in the Sunday School. The church will feel that one of its most loyal supporters has been called to the aid of a triumphant church above.

Not only in the home and church will Mrs. Baker be sorely missed, but throughout the entire community, where she was active in every good work. Her many neighbors and friends, having known her all her life, feel the loss of one who was ever ready to do and to serve both in time of responsibility and in the little unobtrusive acts of kindness which smooth the path of life.

In addition to her husband and children, she is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leonhardt; one brother, Paul L. Leonhardt; and three sisters, Mrs. Everett Tennis and Mrs. Fred Weiland, of Clayton, New Mexico and Mrs. Charles Trindle of Kingfisher.

So many associations and good works which carry the inpress of her life continue to speak of her influence. The spirit of Mrs. Baker is still living and is still felt and will be throughout the Park community.



Obituary of Henry Paul Leonhardt

From the Kingfisher Times & Free Press, April 21, 1979
Obituary of H. Paul Leonhardt

KINGFISHER - Funeral for H. Paul Leonhardt, 84, who died Wednesday, April 18, in an Oklahoma City hospital, will be at 10 a.m. today at the Sanders Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Forrest Woodward will officiate and burial will be in the Kingfisher Cemetery.

Leonhardt was born August 31, 1894, to Henry Lewis and Olive Eudora Leonhardt, at Kingfisher and lived most of his life in this area. He was a retired carpenter and painter and also farmed and was supplier of firewood for residents of Kingfisher for many years.

He married Florence Wrobbel at Guthrie on July 1, 1939. She preceeded him in death.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Fred (Lorena) Weiland, Dumas, Texas; two step daughters, Mrs. Alfred Duffy and Mrs. Calvin Geis, both of Kingfisher, and several neices and nephews.

Obituary of Emma Rohlfing Hobson Leonhardt

From the Kingfisher Times, July 13, 1944
Obituary of Emma (Rohlfing) Leonhardt

Mrs. Henry Leonhardt of the Park community suffered a heart attack Monday morning while in Kingfisher.

Emma Louise Rohlfing, daughter of Frederick and Sofia Rohlfing, was born January 25, 1864, in Indianapolis, Ind., and died at the Kingfisher Clinic Hospital on July 11, 1944, at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 16 days.

She was reared by guardians, and was educated in German schools in Indiana. In 1884 she was married to Lafayette Hobson in Illinois, and they lived in Ashland, Kansas and in Oklahoma as pioneers until his death in 1899. She then moved to St. Louis and worked in a confectionery for 13 years. Returning to El Reno, she cared for her sister-in-law until her death in 1917. She was then employed as a drug store clerk and a practical nurse.

On September 21, 1921, she was married to Henry Leonhardt, and lived in the Park community until her death.

At an early age she was confirmed in the Lutheran church, later transferring her membership to the Park Congregational church, where she loved to attend and was a faithful and active member, having attended services only a week before her death. She was an honorary member of the Park Women Helpers' union.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband of the home; four (step) children, Paul Leonhardt of Vallejo, Calif., Mrs. Jeanette Tennis of Sweetwater, Tex., Mrs. Charles Trindle of Kingfisher, and Mrs. Fred Weiland of Clayton, New Mex., 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and a host of friends.

Funeral service was held this Thursday afternoon at the Christian Church in Kingfisher, following which interment was made in the family lot in the Kingfisher Cemetary. Rev. W. A. Roberts of Lawton, a former minister of the Park Congregational church and an old friend of the family, officiated, with the Bracken funeral home in charge of arrangements.

Obituary of Jeanette (Leonhardt) Tennis

From the Kingfisher Times, October 4, 1949
Obituary of Jeanette Gladness (Leonhardt) Tennis

Mrs. Jeanette Tennis was born in Kingfisher, Okla on September 6, 1896 and died in Sweetwater, Texas on September 29, 1949 at the age of 53 years and 23 days.

Her parents were Henry and Olive Leonhardt who came to the newly opened territory at Kingfisher, Okla., in 1889 where she spent her girlhood days and received her education. She was converted at the age of 13 and was a devoted member of the Congregational church in her former home community.

She was married to Everett A. Tennis on September 6, 1914 at Kingfisher, Okla. To this union were born six children: Glen Tennis of San Angelo, Texas; Marjorie McLaughlin of Folsom, N.M.; Anna Zinck of Hayward, Calif; Laura McVean of Ft. Worth, Texas; Bill Tennis of Odessa, Texas; Bettye Haggerton of Kingsville, Texas, all of whom were present at the time of her death.

She was very active in church work wherever she lived. Not only in the home and Church will she be sorely missed, but throughout the community where she was active in every good work. Her neighbors and friends having known her through the years feel the loss of one who was ever ready to do and to serve wherever she could. So many associations and good works which carry the impress of his life continue to speak of her is still living and is still felt and will be throughout the lives of those who knew and loved her.

She leaves to mourn her passing beside her children, her husband E. A. Tennis of San Angelo, Texas; nine grandchildren; her father Henry Leonhardt of Kingfisher, who is 85 years old and who was unable to be present; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Trindle of Kingfisher and Mrs. Fred Weiland of Clayton, N.M. and one brother Paul Leonhardt of Kingfisher.

She lived in Sweetwater, Texas for eleven years. Funeral services were held from the First Baptist Church at that city under the direction of the Wells Funeral Home.

Obituary of Anna (Leonhardt) Trindle

From the March 31, 1977, Kingfisher Times & Free Press
Obituary of Anna Dora (Leonhardt) Trindle

Anna Dora (Leonhardt) Trindle, daughter of Henry Lewis and Olive Eudora (Rudy) Leonhardt, was born on January 22, 1898, southwest of Kingfisher on the family farm that Mr. Leonhardt had purchased as a relinquishment in 1893. She passed away Sunday, March 27, at the Hukills Nursing Center in Kingfisher at the age of 79. Her funeral was Tuesday, March 29, in the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Luman Cockerill and Rev. Stephanie Tucker officiating. Burial was in Kingfisher Cemetary under direction of Hackney Funeral Home.

Anna's first year of elementary education was spent in the public schools near Fresno, California, where she, her mother, and sister, Lorena were visiting the William Rudy family. One of her fondest memories of that winter spent in her grandfather's home was that each morning on the way to school she would pick an orange for her lunch from one of the trees in the Rudy orchard. She completed her elementry education at the Park School southwest of Kingfisher. She attended high school at Hammon, Okla., and at that time, she was living with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Rehfield.

She was employed for a time at Bridgeport, Okla., while there, she lived with another aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carpenter. It was necessary for her to return to her father's home at Kingfisher to give him assistance on the farm as there was a critical illness in the family.

Anna's parents were charter members of the Park Congregational Church, and naturally, were in regular attendance. As children, she and her sisters served as janitors of this church for a number of years. Anna was baptized in the Kingfisher Creek in the Christian Faith on June 14, 1914, and became a member of the Park Church. Before this rural church closed its doors in 1962, she served in numerous official positions - ranging again from janitor to pianist, to Sunday School Superintendent. She served this church as its clerk for over 20 years.

After the closing of the Park Church, Anna transferred her membership to the First Congregational Church of Okarche on April 4, 1963; she was a regular attendant there as long as her health permitted.

On February 20, 1920, Anna was married to Charles Edward Trindle. They established their home in the Park Community, where they continued to live until their deaths. Into this family three children were born: Claude of Kingfisher, Edward of Joliet, Ill., and Gladys of Clearwater, Kans. In addition to these survivors, are two grandsons, Claude Trindle, Jr., and Warren Trindle, and three great grandchildren, Curt Jason, Amy Renee, and Clint Ryan Trindle, all of Kingfisher, a brother, Paul Leonhardt, of Kingfisher and a sister, Mrs. Fred (Lorena) Weiland of Dumas, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, who died June 1, 1970; her parents, and two sisters, Mrs. Joy Baker and Mrs. Jeanette Tennis..

Mrs. Trindle was always active in church and community affairs, always ready to give a helping hand to friends and neighbors who were ill or in sorrow. In former years, she was a member of a home demonstration club, the Park Women's Helpers Union, and she worked for a short time as a nurses' aide in the Kingfisher Hospital. She was for many years, a news correspondent for the Kingfisher Times for the Park Community with her weekly column entitled "Park Pickups." At the time of her death she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Farm Bureau..

Anna's Christian faith sustained her throughout her life; and in the latter part of her illness, her unwavering faith was a definite source of strength and inspiration to others.

Obituary of Mary (Leonhardt) Weiland

From the Kingisher Times and Free Press, July 14, 1996
Obituary of Mary Leonhardt Weiland

Word has been received of the death of Mary Lorena Leonhardt Weiland, 95, formerly of Kingfisher. She died Sunday, July 7, at Bossier City, LA.

She was born April 8, 1901 at the home of her parents, Henry Lewis and Olive Eudora (Rudy) Leonhardt, who settled in the Park Community near Kingfisher in 1892.

She attended Park school and Kingfisher College. She moved to Clayton, N.M. in 1925 and was married to Fred B. Weiland on July 27, 1930, at Raton, N.M. They moved to Bossier City in 1992.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the First Families of the Twin Territories (Oklahoma) and was active in her church.

Survivors include a son and his wife, Herman and Veretta Weiland, Bossier City; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three neices, including Helen (Baker) Barrackman, Kingfisher and two nephews, including Claude Trindle, of Kingfisher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother and three sisters.

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